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M. MANNION AND R.-C. ARTHUR. ADJUSTABLE PLUG FOR CLEANING CONDENSER TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1 192T.

1 115,600. 7 Y Patented May 9, 1922.

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IEARTIN IVIANITION, OF PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY, AND ROBERT C. ARTHUR, OF TOTTENVILLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORE OF ENE-THIRD TO JOHN MANNION; OF

PERTH AldBOY, NEW

ADJUSTABLE PLUG FOE,- GLEANHIG CONDENSER TUBES.

, specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1922.

Application filed July 1, 1921. Serial No. 481,942.

mond and State of New York, respectively,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Plugs for Cleaning Condenser Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means or what may be termed plugs for cleaning interiorly tubes of surface-condensers, or the interior ofany type of tubular appliances or devices.

The invention has for its object, among other purposes, to provide for obviating the disadvantages of cleaning especially condenser tubes particularly of the type indicated, or otherwise, heretofore experienced in doing this with the use of long-handled brushes, or other ill-contrived, appliances therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide for carrying out the above indicated purposes in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner and with facility, and to provide for the expeditious functioning of the plug or device.

Other objects of the invention, together with the foregoing, will be apparent from the following description of the construction, operation or application and arrange inent thereof, and the annexed illustration of the same.

The invention therefore consists of certain instrumentalities and features of construction substantially as hereinafter more fully disclosed and defined by the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing or illustration discloses the preferred embodiment, or one form, of our invention wherein it will be understood that various changes and modifications as relate to the detailed construction and arrangement of parts be made without departing from the scope thereof as covered by the claims, and in which drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of our surfacecondenser tube cleaner.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same.

As characteristic features of our invention we provide what may he termed preferably a plug 7, which is preferably of rubber and which in general outline is preferably that shown, consisting of a preferably central cylindrical portion 2, terminating at its ends into longitudinally tapered or approximately truncated cone-shaped e:-:- tensions 3, and these in turn terminating 'at their smaller ends into annular, or disklilre portions which'may be termed flanges The flanges or dis rs 4: are of slightly greater diameter than the central cylindric portion 2 as diagrammatically and otherwise indicated in the drawing. These flanges or disks are thus adapted, by being of a greater diameter than the cylin- (lric portion 2 and, of course, than the other portions of the plug, for previous engagement when under air-compression or other pressure with the interior. surface of the condensentube, said flanges, it will be understood, being adapted to snugly or closely fit within the tube as the plug is initially introduced into the latter. The cylindric portion 2 of the plug is provided with a plurality of grooves or passages 5 extending generally in the direction. of the axis of the plug. also in preferably approximately spiral lines along the periinetric surface of s id cylindrir portions as shown. It is observed that the plug may be also formed of an 'llit6i'-il'1lXilLlI'6 of rubber and some suit able abrasive material in its entirety or otherwise if found requisite for the more effective functioning ofthe plug, as where it may have contact with hard scale or substances adhering to the condenser tube.

in using the plug, it is inserted into the condenser-tube or other tubular object for cleaning at one end thereof and subjectet to, and driven by compressed-air-pressure, or water or other pressure which may be readily locally obtained and applied to the plugin any suitable way. In case any iinpediment should be present in the tube, the developed pressure will be delivered to and collapse one of the flanges 4, toward the center of the plug, whence pressure will be conducted into, and be delivered by the grooves or passages 5 toward and cause the collapsing oppositely of the other flange or disk which will accordingly result in clearance of the plug and aid its passage, over the impediment, out through the tube.

From the foregoing it is believed that the purposes and advantages of our invention as set forth above have been made clearly apparent and appreciable.

Having described our invention, What we claim and desire secure by Letters Patent is:

It. A tube-cleaner of plug shape, and con sisting of a projectile having an intermediate grooved portion and annular end flange- 1 inning portions.

1 L tube-cleaner of elastic material con sist'ng of a projectile and having an intermediate grooved portion and annular end flange-forming portions. 20 3. A tubecleaner unit having an internediate grooved portion and annular end tinge-forming portions of greater diameter ran said intermediate grooved portion.

4-. ii. tube-cleaner consisting o'l? an elastic projectile having end flanges, and an intermediate portion adapted to tunction With said end flanges said flanges adapted to collapse in opposite directions under air compression or pressure to provide clearance for the plug or cleaner in case of its passage being otherwise impeded through the condenser or other tube.

5. bit tube-cleaner consisting of a projectile plug of elastic material having end-flangerorniing annular portions and an intermediate cylindric portion, said flange-forming portions being of somewhat greater dianieter than the intern'iediate cylindric portion.

6. A tube cleaner consisting of a projectile plug of elastic material having end an nular flange-forming portions, and a central or intermediate cylindric portion provided with perimetric grooves of approximately spiral lines, said intermediate cylindric portion and flange-forming portions being connected by longitudinal tapering portions.

7. A tube-cleaner consisting of an elastic projectile plug having a grooved intermediate c 'lindric portion provided with end flanges forming annular portions of greater diameter than said intermediate portion.

8. A projectile plug for tine-cleaners, consisting of a body-portion having longitudi nally extending spiral peripheral grooms and tapering ends and laterally extending flanges on said ends, said body and flanges being oil collapsible material and said flanges extending beyond said body portion.

in testimony whereof; we allix our signatures.

MAR-TIN MANNION. ROBERT C. ARTHUR. 

